Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis ranked No. 33 by Sports Illustrated

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks wins during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 18, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks wins during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 18, 2017 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Sports Illustrated has revealed its full list of the Top 100 players in the NBA. New York Knicks phenom Kristaps Porzingis was ranked just outside the Top 30.

The New York Knicks have two players ranked in the Top 40 of the Sports Illustrated Top 100. As most Knicks fans expected to see, those two players are small forward Carmelo Anthony and power forward Kristaps Porzingis.

What some may be surprised to learn, however, is that it’s Porzingis who was ranked higher than Anthony on the SI Top 100.

Anthony received a ranking of No. 37, which was 27 spots higher than ESPN placed him. Some may debate whether or not Sports Illustrated offered a high enough ranking for the 10-time All-Star, but it was explained by the uncertainty created by the dysfunction of the Knicks.

According to Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated, Porzingis earned a ranking of No. 33 in the NBA with his defensive presence and offensive versatility.

"Most impressively, the 22-year-old Porzingis allowed opponents to shoot just 50.7% from within six feet, a comparable to the marks posted by All-Defensive team selections and elite rim-protectors like Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green. Offensively, he honed his overall scoring game and vastly improved as a finisher around the basket despite being stuck in an offense with ill-fitting parts."

That’s a fair evaluation of what it is that makes Porzingis special, even as he attempts to find stability in his approach as a scorer.

Porzingis, 22, has spent two riveting seasons with the Knicks. During that time, he’s earned the nickname of The Unicorn by providing two-way contributions that can be accurately described as unprecedented for a player his size.

Standing at 7’3″, Porzingis has found a unique balance of athleticism, coordination, and skill that have transformed him into one of the most promising young players in the Association.

Sports Illustrated’s ranking displays just how optimistic the basketball community is that New York has finally drafted a future franchise player.

Porzingis finished the 2016-17 season with averages of 18.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.7 three-point field goals made per game. In turn, he became the first player in NBA history to average at least 15.0 points, 2.0 blocks, and 1.5 three-point field goals made.

Beyond the numbers, he’s displayed a unique ability to protect the rim, space the floor, and attack off the bounce in an almost guard-like manner.

Must Read: How Kristaps Porzingis can become a superstar

The New York Knicks have quite the dynamic duo in Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, who appears all but certain to take the next step in his development.

Home/Knicks News